Saturday, July 31, 2010

As the boat above implies (click on it), the annual Antique Boat Show was real sweet this year!

Our new "Singer Castle Revisited" book, along with "Dark Island's Castle of Mysteries" DVD were among those featured at this year's local authors' table just inside the main entrance. Thanks to all of those who stopped by to chat and to those who supported the museum by purchasing our brand from them. Enjoy our works along with the many freebies that I unleased upon you. Thanks for coming and supporting your museum! (All photos taken on location by me while at the show today).

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The gigantic antique boat show at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY will have an authors' table on Saturday,August 1, 2010 (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. only) which will include Robert and Patty Mondore and their all new sensational book, Singer Castle Revisited. As is his custom, Bob Mondore (this blog's author) will be giving away many random freebies to those just showing up while we are there. And if you make any purchase from the Museum with the name Mondore (as authors) on it, you will receive a free new 1 GB flash drive (also known as a thumb drive, and that is one full gigabyte). These offers are only good if you receive them from me while I am there. Come and get your surprise! Remember, this is only valid from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. this coming Saturday. Drop in to say hello and get your goodie!

To those unfamiliar with the famous sites in the Thousand Islands, here is a link to Singer Castle, Dark Island on the St. Lawrence River in northern New York right near Canada.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Many forms of transportation have been used to reach the rocky shores of Dark Island in the St. Lawrence River. When they used the island as a summer hunting and fishing ground, Native Americans came in their birch bark canoes. Traces of their occupation such a granite grindstone can still be seen. During the construction of Frederick Bourne's "small hunting lodge" in the early 1900s, workmen arrived by skiff, by scow, by barge, and in winter by sleigh and by foot across the ice.

Commodore Bourne and his family, all of whom were boating enthusiasts, reached the island in motor launches such as the 60' "Dark Island" and over the years family members owned a variety of boats in all sizes and types including a series of boats for racing in the Frontenac Gold Cup and other races that were held yearly in the 1000 Islands. Daughter Marjorie won the 1909 Gold Cup Race in the "Moike" a 36' racing boat she received for her 16th birthday. The "Moike" is now in the collection of the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton. Commodore Bourne even brought his larger yachts such as the 81' Artemis and later his 111' steam yacht named the "Sioux" to Dark Island. The boats were stored in the island's two boathouses and skiff house. The most unusual craft in the Bourne's collection was an electric gondola that was used to transport guests from the dock in Chippewa Bay to his castle.

In the present day, guests come to the island by boats large and small: canoes, personal watercraft, kayaks, motorboats, fishing boats, dive boats, antique boats, cigarette boats, cabin cruisers, shuttles, tour boats, cruise ships, and even tall ships come to the shores of Dark Island. Overnight guests to the castle have even arrived by helicopter and most recently a newlywed couple who had spent the night in the castle's Royal Suite departed from the island by seaplane. The nine passenger single engine plane chartered from Carson Air in Toronto picked up the guests on the calm July morning and flew them to Ottawa, Canada for a flight to Los Angeles by private jet. The conditions on the river were superb, no wind and total calm on the water allowed the plane to land and take off from Singer Castle's south dock with ease.

Singer Castle is open for guided tours daily through Labor Day and weekends and by appointment in the fall. Come to the island in whatever size boat you have available. We will welcome you 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or come and spend the evening in our Royal Suite. Call 1-877-327-5475 (Singer Castle) for more information. (This news dispatch was submitted directly from Dark Island by Jean Papke, assistant to the president of Singer Castle, Tom Weldon.)

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Napoleon Bonaparte and mademoiselle give a special pose for the Singer Castle Blog & More before the French Festival parade in Cape Vincent, NY today. Photo by Robert J. Mondore. The festival runs from July 10th to July 11th (Saturday and Sunday) this year 2010.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The ship Algobay that ran aground near Singer Castle on Dark Island in the St. Lawrence River near Chippewa Bay NY is free as of this morning! The photos above, taken by the President of Singer Castle, Tom Weldon, show the tug boats and the ship. Click on the photos to see them larger. The ship ran aground several days ago on July 4th, and now is on its way to a Canadian port at Prescott, Ontario. For more details, check out my previous blogs and Michael Folsom's blog, The Shipwatcher.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Just in seconds ago. A stunning photo of the ship Algobay that ran aground on July 4th and is still not under motion near Singer Castle on Dark Island. Photo by Paul and Lillian Cooledge of 1000 Island Images. Be sure to click on the picture to see it larger; it is a fantastic shot.

This calls attention to The Ship Watcher blog (theshipwatcher.blogspot.com) that is running a contest for one free giveaway of the hot new book out: Singer Castle Revisited(by Robert and Patty Mondore). Merely email to Michael Folsom on his blog a photo that includes the two elements of a ship and Singer Castle. (No "photo-shopped" pictures, it must be the real thing). Contest runs for this month of July 2010, so get your entry in early. See details by clicking on his blog above.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

a I got the breaking news tip of the day direct from the President (Tom Weldon) of Singer Castle on Dark Island that a large ship ran aground just down river at Chippewa Bay, NY. The ship (named the Algobay) was hauling corn to Canada on the St. Lawrence River. Click on the picture to see it larger. There appears to be no danger of oil leaks or injuries. It is also outside of the shipping lane, so all is clear to the castle. The above photo courtesy of Paul and Lillian Cooledge of 1000 Island Images taken at the scene. They were lowering a lifeboat to assess the damage. I drove up Route 12 with Patty to spot the ship ourselves from the road. (Not recommended to do that, as it is hard to spot through the tree line, and you need to know exactly where to look.) As a bit of coincidental trivia, Corn Island, a Canadian island once owned also by Commodore Frederick G. Bourne along with Dark Island, is not very far from this corn laden vessel headed for a Canadian port.

7/5/10 Update: For the latest news on ships in the 1000 Islands, check out our friend, Mike Folsom, at The Ship Watcher (theshipwatcher.blogspot.com). Unsurpassed reporting on the vessels going through the St. Lawrence River.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Today (July 3, 2010) was a fun day of autographing books and giving away prizes at Singer Castle. Bob and Patty Mondore (pictured on the right) were guests at Dark Island courtesy of its president, Tom Weldon (pictured on the left with the white shirt and shorts). This group shot includes the great crew that staffs the castle and tours. Our thanks for the many courtesies they extended to us.

I was glad to see all of the happy faces of those on tour who received our random gifts which included the United States Constitution booklet, stars and stripes pencils to celebrate Independence Day, and even flash drives for those supporting our brand. The photo on top is of the book table which shows the featured book, Singer Castle Revistited. More pictures of Singer Castle from this event to follow. Be sure to click on the photos to see them larger and with greater detail.